Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School

Career and Technology Education

Pathways available at B-CC

The B-CC Career and Technology Education Department offers our pathways and an internship program. Furthermore, students may apply to Montgomery College for Dual Enrollment credit as part of some of these pathways. AP courses may also allow students to potentially earn college credit . Each of these pathways meet the Maryland State requirement as a Program of Study (POS) for graduation or can be taken as focused areas of study during your four years at B-CC. Furthermore, these programs support us as an IB MYP and IB Diploma school. There are many benefits in completing a pathway, as they allow you to get a head start toward your future. Some pathways will allow you to receive industry certification, and are recognized in the professional workforce.

Foundational Technology Education Courses

There is a technology class well suited for all students. Students must complete a year of one of our foundational technology classes to earn their technology credit for graduation and after that we have many advanced level technology courses to enhance our students in the field of technology. If a student is using one of the above Pathways to meet their Elective Graduation requirement they may have to take an additional Technology course to fulfill this requirement.

Foundations of Computer Science

This course is a part of the MSDE-approved 4-credit Program of Studies in Computer Science.  The course provides an engaging introduction to computing concepts through a nationally-developed curriculum, offered through a unique partnership with Code.org.  The course focuses on the conceptual ideas of computing so that students understand why tools and languages are used to solve problems through a study of human computer interaction, problem solving, web design, programming, data analysis, and robotics.

Introduction to Engineering Design (Project Lead the Way) 

(Prerequisite completion of Algebra 1 with a C or better) 

An introductory course which develops student problem solving skills with emphasis placed on the development of three-dimensional solid models. Students will work from sketching simple geometric shapes to apply a solid modeling computer software package. They will learn a problem solving design process and how it is used in industry to manufacture a product. The Computer Aided Design system (CAD) will also be used to analyze and evaluate the product design. The techniques learned, and equipment used, is state of the art and is currently being used by engineers throughout the United States.

AP Computer Science Principles

This course, offered in partnership with Code.org, advances student understanding of the central ideas of computer science, engaging students in activities that show how computing changes the world. Through a focus on creativity, students explore technology as a means for solving computational problems, examining computer science's relevance to and impact on the world today.  Aligned to the new AP test of the same name, this course is part of an MSDE-approved 4-credit Program of Studies in Computer Science.

Computer Science Courses:

Foundations of Computer Science A/B

This course is a part of the MSDE-approved 4-credit Program of Studies in Computer Science. The course provides an engaging introduction to computing concepts through a nationally-developed curriculum, offered through a unique partnership with Code.org. The course focuses on the conceptual ideas of computing so that students understand why tools and languages are used to solve problems through a study of human computer interaction, problem solving, web design, programming, data analysis, and robotics.

AP Computer Science Principles

This course, offered in partnership with Code.org, advances student understanding of the central ideas of computer science, engaging students in activities that show how computing changes the world. Through a focus on creativity, students explore technology as a means for solving computational problems, examining computer science's relevance to and impact on the world today. Aligned to the new AP test of the same name, this course is part of an MSDE-approved 4-credit Program of Studies in Computer Science.

Computer Programming 1

This course introduces the basic principles of structured programming, within the context of an object-oriented language. Topics covered include fundamentals of programming language, simple and structured data types, control statements, functions, arrays, and classes. Emphasis is placed on developing effective problem-solving techniques through individual and team projects.

AP Computer Science Java

This course serves as an introduction to the Java programming language. Students learn the basic principles of object oriented programming including issues such as class design, inheritance, dynamic binding and interfaces. At the completion of this class the students will understand and be able to implement intermediate Java programming techniques in order to independently develop complex applications using the Java language. This class provides an extensive review of all the concepts covered on the College Board’s Advanced Computer Science examination. Students that complete this class will be fully prepared, and are expected to take the Computer Science examination. Students will also learn how create basic games using Applets. An applet is a special kind of Java program that is embedded inside a web-page and runs in the context of the browser.